\Fo*ment"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Fomented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Fomenting}.] [F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum
(for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to
warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. ? to roast, and E.
bake.]
1. To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge
wet with warm water or medicated liquid.
2. To cherish with heat; to foster. [Obs.]
Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
--Milton.
3. To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by
excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used
often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors. --Locke.
But quench the choler you foment in vain. --Dryden.
Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
--Southey.

\Fo"ment\, n.
1. Fomentation.
2. State of excitation; -- perh. confused with ferment.
He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was
kept up. --Julian
Ralph.